Clinton Pardon

The question of whether or not Al Gore would pardon Bill Clinton for any supposed “crimes” (April 13) is both morally laughable and legally moot. Laughable in that anything Clinton supposedly did pales in comparison with the types of lies told under oath by his two immediate predecessors, Ronald Reagan and George Bush.

Moot in that Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution grants the president the power to grant reprieves and pardons “except in Cases of Impeachment.” Although never convicted by the Senate of the ludicrous charges brought against him, Clinton was nevertheless impeached by the House and thus not eligible for pardon. (Indeed, this small, often overlooked restriction in our Constitution may have been the real reason Richard Nixon resigned rather than face impeachment, thereby retaining eligibility for the pardon which later came his way.)

RONALD O. RICHARDS

Los Angeles

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Re “Independent Counsel Says Clinton Probe Continues,” April 11:

An additional $3.5 million and the hiring of additional lawyers are the tools that independent counsel Robert W. Ray will use to continue this unnecessary investigation. When will enough be enough? A trial of his peers found President Clinton not guilty. The American people want this put aside.

Of course, most Americans are normal human beings, forgiving, without hatred and vindictiveness. Not so for the few powerful individuals who are sick with abuse of power and hatred for our president. They could serve this country best if they spent their time and money in pursuit of a better cause.

ANNE LEBRECHT

Laguna Woods